44-40158 Tinker Belle

media-15855.jpeg UPL 15855 Consolidated B-24J-150-CO Liberator bomber 44-40158 of the 44th Bomb Group, 506th Bomb Squadron. Nose Art "Tinker Belle”

http://www.worldwarphotos.info/gallery/usa/aircrafts-2-3/b-24-liberator…

Object Number - UPL 15855 - Consolidated B-24J-150-CO Liberator bomber 44-40158 of the 44th Bomb Group, 506th Bomb Squadron. Nose Art "Tinker Belle”

Transferred to the 44th BG 13 Aug 44.

Lost 5 Apr 45, being shot down by flak, and crashed near Wipperfurth while on a mission to Plauen. 2nd Lt. George F. Brown Jr. (Pilot), along with S/Sgt. Travis E. Nash (Radio Operator), were KIA. The rest of crew returned safely. With one engine feathered, the aircraft had dropped 3 miles behind the main formation under control. S/Sgt. Burkhart (Engineer), stated "#1 engine was feathered, #2 was on fire, #s3 and 4 were smoking, and Lt. Brown (Pilot) was wounded." Burkhart (Engineer) saw Brown (Pilot) bail out with the rest of the crew, but was never seen again. It was eventually determined that Brown (Pilot) was KIA and it is thought, was killed by persons unknown.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 44th Bomb Group.

44th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
A Swedish Soldier guards a B-24 Liberator (serial number 44-40159) nicknamed "Boulder Buff" of the 492nd Bomb Group that has landed in Sweden.

492nd Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

James J Barry

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 506th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-727299
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Willis H Beasley

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 492nd Bomb Group 857th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17088463
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

George F Brown

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 506th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-831104
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Howard M Burkhart

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 506th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner

James M Burton

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 506th Bomb Squadron
  • Role/Job: Tail gunner

Places

Missions

513

  • Date: 3 August 1944

508

  • Date: 1 August 1944

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Germany 5 April 1945

Revisions

Date14 Dec 2022 01:36:38
Contributoracbernstein1
Changes
Sources

http://492ndbombgroup.com/cgi-bin/pagepilot.cgi?page=showAircraft&aircr…

Date27 Nov 2019 12:57:15
Contributorgeneral ira snapsorter
ChangesChanges to description, events, person associations and mission associations
Sources

Information from the 44th Bomb Group Loading Lists at Rootsweb via William Mulholland.

Date27 Dec 2017 20:34:36
ContributorKauko56
ChangesChanges to description
Sources

MACR 14110

Date7 May 2015 16:53:50
ContributorJasonR
ChangesChanges to nicknames and description
Sources

http://www.b24bestweb.com/tinkerbelle2.htm

Date27 Sep 2014 18:41:48
ContributorAAM
ChangesAAM ingest
Sources

MACR 14110 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

44-40158: Gallery (2 items)